Coming In Fourth, notes form the Target

Left wanting.   Cool Inlet shorts, 3/21.

   March 21st.  First day of Spring.  All of the sudden the local weather douche-bags have jumped on the Polar Express and are claiming cool temps thru April.  Just doesn't seem fair, but life ain't always fair.  Ask the guy who came in fourth at the Olympics.  So we must must raise a toast to those people that never give up.  Those few individuals, such as ourselves, that march to a slightly different drummer...Nye...not a different drummer but our own veritable composer.  We who had the nerve to look a chilled Neptune in the eye and spat back that our day will come again.  We will return at that mystical alchemy hour to see the Surf give up it's carvable waves, rolling in like sets of lemmings. Our heads will be held high as we laugh in the light of the the setting sun watching it disappear over the Assawoman's horizon.

No shower in sight, but we got a pool!

       
                   This past Thursday, no real waves.  Heavy flurries earlier in the day.  Cold winds along the coast.  The inlet was pretty much still asnooze in it's winter bed.  A classic OC surf spot, the inlet has a lot of potential for scoring some serious stoke when the time comes.  Upon scouting, the Oceanic Motel would provide a pool once their season began, but showers were not found on location.  Doesn't mean they aren't there just more in- depth effort needed.
   We marched north along Baltimore Avenue, made a right on 8th and another right onto Coastal.  Pickles Pub.  Deja Vue.  Been here. Done it. Each of the last two times left us wanting.  A lot of potential, but one major concern, we prefer our wings cooked.  This evening was the final reckoning.  An official rating for all to see.  Tonight's experience started off with a serious concern.  Two bartenders.   A bar half empty.  And we still waited.  Not that we expect the royal treatment but it was close to ten minutes.  We had enough time to check the NCAA tournament scores. Com'on Man!  Her cords and smile didn't help.  Beer selection helped. More than ample - 25 on tap. Cold liquid gold is always appreciated, however at this point the 2nd faux pas took place.  My next beer choice (and I did change beers) was served in the original glass...unwashed...not even rinsed... Com'on Man! The ratings began dropping like the temps outside. At some point in the middle of all this, and I must admit the resulting fluster left me at a loss as to exactly when, but somewhere in between beer pours (same F-ing glass. Seriously! Yes, I'm still aghast!) we ordered our wings.
   Wing choices: Buffalo, BBQ, Baltimore (Old Bay), and Sriracha (a sweet-hot Thai Chili).  We got bold here.  Sriracha is a known hottie...we chose 'em, and BBQ.  They arrived cooked...through and through.  Nice.  Breaded before sauced.  Not so nice.  Like a thief in night (or kitchen) the breading stole from the taste; the meat not being able to absorb the flavors of the sauces.  BBQ merely average.  The Sriracha...a welcome back-end heat. Background music made the experience much more tolerable with a decent mix of classic and modern pop/rock.  The crowd was in the similar. Classic and modern.  Prices hmmmmm... on the high side.  Twenty-one bucks for the wings alone.  Need we say it again?  Off-Season!  Come-On Man!  Gotta believe the younger of the working patrons calling Pickles home spend a chunk of their paychecks here.  But we digress- and move on.

THE RATINGS-

Sriracha Chili Wings: B- (out with the breading!)

BBQ Wings: C

Beer: B- (new glass dude!)

Atmosphere: C (all about service)

Overall Score = 2.38

Just Let Go, notes from the Target

Sweet thigh-hi calling.  3/14

   Winter just won't let go.  The Weather Channel  reports of rising temperatures into the 70's, and we are still dreary, wet, and below normal. This past Thursday was a rare bright spot.  Still in the 40's, but sunny. A few barrels along the coast.  With each passing week the yearning for surf grows.  We cannot be responsible for our actions if this keeps up.  We have a need.  Not sure how much longer the wing and beer reprieves will keep us in check.
   As Daylight Savings Time begins, so does our prep for the first water session.  The Watt did a little "renewed break" investigation this week.  7th to Surf Ave (appropriate) to 8th Street.  Labeled "Malibu's" for the boardwalk surf shop at that locale, the location is replete with unguarded pool and shower for that post surf rinse.  Not bad.  Good location for quite a few downtown wing and beer establishments standing in line for our ratings.

Shower.  Pool.  Perfect.

   The Journey continued it's western trek with a stop at Crab Alley on the corner of Golf Course Road and Sunset.  We have passed this location many a time figuring it for "seafood only" not realizing that it offered options for those seeking true culinary meaning.  Seated right at the foot of West OC's commercial harbor, the upstairs lounge (the only part open this time of year) offered a sparkling view of the fishing fleet, bay, and Downtown Ocean City as the sun set behind us.  The barkeep, Matt, was a local transplant grad of SU in good spirits and serving 'em up as well.  Average beer selection, but Matt was quick to set a couple of cold drafts in front of us.  Hey, if ya can't wash the long work day off in the surf, wash it down with a cold Miller Lite we always say.  The wing selection was limited (it's a crab house, duh), Hot, BBQ and Old Bay. We went with BBQ and Old Bay.
   The wings arrived, after a moderate wait, hot and well cooked.  Very meaty.  The taste was as expected. Enjoyable.  Satisfying.  But no "Wow" factor, although the BBQ had a light kick.  The music was on point.  No band mind you but sweet speakers with good sound, and the place's acoustics made for a nice climate.  Pricing was outstanding.  Once again, we have found a place that understands what the Off-season is all about. Locals. Definitely a spot not to be missed.  However, ratings have been set and there are no free passes...only truth.

THE RATINGS-

BBQ WIngs: B-

Old Bay Wings: C

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.44

No Retreat, notes from the Target

"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no
path and leave a trail."  -Ralph Wald Emerson.  The Journey.  Feb 28th.

 

















   The cold. Outside.  Our world. So far, no retreat this year.  Each passing day we glance at the sky hoping.  Hoping for consistent sun.  Hoping for a southern breeze to warm our piece of the Right Coast.  To no avail.  But with no change in sight what is a crewman to do?  Seek out shelter. Perhaps one that provides a brief respite, a cold beer, and a few hot, tasty wings to overcome the troubles of the day.
   We've all heard of the World Famous Five-star Dive at 16th and the Boards, but those ratings are being saved for the Sun.  Nay, this week we bounced thru the sister location on Sunset and Rt. 611 in West OC. Peppers boasts of their wing offerings, however this location failed to live up to the namesake.  Entering the bar area we found a sparse local population, but the barkeep brightened our spirits as a couple of Dos Equis drafts dropped in front of us seconds after our arrival. The wings come in 6 and 12 counts so we chose 3 rounds, 6 each...Hot Buffalo, Jerk, and Raspberry Chipotle.  A side of chips and homemade salsa.  The chips were warm, the salsa not bad, but lacking... salt, sugar, spice... something.  The wings arrived Hot. This is where all remaining compliments terminated. The Raspberry Chipotle tasted like the sauce was watered down.  The Jerk - plain, no discernible taste...certainly no Jerk kick.  The Hot- not.  Good, but not spicy. Bland. That sums up all three pretty accurately. And the atmosphere matched. Music on poor speakers barely loud enough to hear. Nothing on the tube. Bland.  The prices.  Whoa, the PRICES!  Did anyone tell these folks it's off-season?  Only the North OC Green Turtle exceeded these. Over a buck a wing! $4 beers! We ordered 2 iced teas before we left...$2.50 each!  It makes ya wonder what they mean by "5-Star."
   Harsh - /HARsh/ - Unpleasantly coarse.  Disagreeable or jarring to the senses.  Cruel or severe.  We know the Journey is young and our rules are harsh (as were this night's wings), but we're willing to bet this one'll be one of our lower scores for the coming year.

THE RATINGS-
Hot Buffalo: C
Jerk/Raspberry Chipotle: C-
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: C-
Total Score: 1.93